The City Wall of Xi'an

The city wall of Xi'an is perhaps the best preserved urban defense system of ancient times in Chian today. The extant wall was built in the 14th century on the foundation of the old one built in the Sui Dynasty in the 6th century. The wall encircling the city on all sides runs to 11,900 meters in length. It is 12 meters tall, 15-18 meters wide at the base and 12-14 meters wide at the top.

There is a gate at each of the four sides and each gate consists of a fortress and an arrow tower. Sightseers may mount the wall by steps at the south or west gate and walk on the wall to catch a bird's eye view of the ancient city and imagine caravans carrying Chinese silk were setting off in times of long ago.